Schroeder Tops Flat Rock Field

A total of 34 ARCA Moran Chevrolet Late Models were on hand for the prestigious event, held in memory of Flat Rock’s 10-time champion and all-time career win leader.

Joy Fair’s family presented Schroeder with the 5 foot trophy and the Discount Tire Gold Cup in victory lane.

The race was the first in the 5-race Discount Tire Late Model Gold Cup Series, with 2 races at Flat Rock and 3 at Toledo Speedway.

For the first time at Flat Rock, a 25 lap B Main feature race was contested for the 10 cars that did not make the 100. Lori Hall thrilled the crowd as she sailed to the win over Michael Simko, Jim Alvis, Dan Trosen Jr., Bryan Richards, first-time visitor Nick Katterhenry, Brian Clay, Derrick Sheppard, Brad Turner and Steve Hawes.

The eight-car inversion for the 100 put Frankie Jiovani and Dakota Carlson on the front row. The duo ran side by side for the first 8 laps, trading the lead back and forth. Carlson nosed out front on lap 9, using the high side to take control

The first 36 laps went straight green flag. Harold Fair Jr. was the man on the move, coming from 9th to 2nd by lap 25. Schroeder zipped into 3rd at lap 32 and settled in as Fair grabbed the point after the restart and zoomed into the lead at the lap 38 mark.

A flurry of yellows for minor incidents slowed things, but the battles were intense throughout the pack. By lap 42, Paul Pelletier was sailing to the front, moving from 13th to sixth. At the half-way mark, Schroeder had moved into second as Fair set the quick pace.

The yellow appeared for the final time on lap 77 for a piece of debris in turn three, and the race took another wild turn. Fair, looking for the win and in great shape, had his car quit just as the field got ready for the restart.

He was pushed to the infield with mechanical woes and at the same time, Jiovani also ended a fine night with an engine problem. Schroeder, who had closed in just a bit on Fair before the yellow, took off on the restart and sped to the win.